March 1, 1945

Dear Sisters:

Here March has come around rather calm like compared to what it was supposed to be. Yesterday was pay day. Yep, I got my raise of 4 bucks per [pay period]. Some raise I must say but it is a lot better than no 4 bucks, huh?

Nothing very much has happened since I last wrote. We are having a lot of trouble with the new planes. They got here the very latest in B-25’s. Anyway the flights can’t find the trouble so we got the headache and it really is a headache. Yesterday we had one and did everything and we still can’t get full power out of the engines. The one is 1.5 in. of Hg and the other .9 in. of mercury. So close yet not enough to take off for the gadgets. Well anyway tomorrow the test pilot is going to take her up. Today we got another one and right before we left 2 more were reported. The funny part about it is that all the engines only have from between 10 and 60 hours of flying time and we’ll have to find it some hour or other.

I have a letter from each of you so I’ll answer them. It was nice you had Uncle Elmer up for a change; I guess he was glad for a good meal. Also it’s nice Frank comes once in awhile. I hope your voice is back OK. Irma too bad you had to call off your entertainment at the lodge. I don’t think there is any sense in saving any of the papers for me. Colorado weather isn’t bad, mild and rather cold and raw in the mornings.

It was nice Sonny W. got a ride on a troop train as far as Philadelphia; it was a good break for him, I must say. Yep, they are flying some infantry over on the hospital planes. It is just as well. That way; they have a quick, safe voyage.

I am glad you gave Uncle Elmer a pack of smokes and the other to Frank. If I knew Frank still needed smokes, I could get some more and send them to him. He always was around to lend a hand when I needed him and if I can do him a little favor now I surely would. Maybe I’ll get some extras and mail some to him. You’re quite welcome for the gum. I didn’t know if you could get it or not but anyway, you’re all welcome.

I’ll say it’s nice. We can get rabbits to eat. They surely save points and are darn good eating. Meat is still very plentiful around here, just about anything you want and the price isn’t too bad. The war does look good in both the theatres of operations, but it surely is tough going. We can’t seem to get anywhere very fast. I don’t think young Yeager has all of his buttons. They should do something about him. That’s too bad Uncle Elmer had all that trouble about that mortgage.

We are both well and hope you are the all same.

So Long

Love

John